Will make Mangaluru second IT capital of Karnataka: Congress

Mangaluru: The Karnataka unit of the Congress has announced making Mangaluru the second IT capital of Karnataka and setting up committees in every panchayat to maintain communal and social harmony in the region.

The Congress leaders who were in Mangaluru during the Praja Dhwani Yatra placed before the people a 10-point election manifesto related to development of Coastal Karnataka. Through the 10-point charter, Congress has attempted to address all sections of the society. The Congress leaders blamed the BJP for dividing the society through communal tension and assured to restore communal harmony if voted to power.

“We will give priority to the development of the Coastal region. Employment, investment, tourism, and maintaining communal harmony will be given importance through the Coastal Development Authority. A budget of Rs 2,500 will be provided for this,” leader of the opposition in Legislative Council BK Hariprasad said.

“Mangaluru will be made another IT capital. A garment industry hub will be set up here to provide employment to the women of the region,” he said.

The party promised Rs 10 lakh insurance coverage for fishermen, an interest-free loan of up to Rs 1 lakh for the women head of the fishermen family and also a subsidy of 25 percent for purchasing fishing boats.

“We also intend to increase the subsidy on diesel provided to the fishing boat from Rs 10.71 to Rs 25 per liter and also increase the quantity of diesel. Dredging will be undertaken in the fisheries harbors of Malpe, Mangaluru, and Gangolli in six  months,” he assured.

Hariprasad said that a committee will be set up to ensure maintenance of communal and social harmony in every panchayat and it will be named after Swamy Vivekananda.

The Congress party has proposed to set up Sri Narayanaguru Development Board and provide Rs 1,250 crore (Rs 250 crore per year) for five years and same amount will be provided for the assistance of the Bunt community.

“Siddaramaiah government had provided Rs 3,150 crore for minority development which the BJP government has stopped. That will be resumed once we come to power. We will also assist the areca growers to tackle crop loss and yellow leaf disease,” he added.